AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Matt gazed at Valter. “I’ll see him, if it’s what you want.”
“And you’ll donate those cells to save his life.”
“Mr. Larsen, that isn’t possible,” Yalow said gently.
“I have power of attorney!” His shout at the diminutive Yalow renewed Kom’s growls.
“Which you were granted by your brother on the specified condition you honor his wish to refuse his son’s donation. I’ve read your guardianship agreement, and it’s spelled out clearly. Only Sven Larsen can allow Matthew to provide stem cells. Since his chances of surviving if given those cells are now at three percent, it’s honestly a moot point.”
“Three percent?” Matt asked.
“Unfortunately. I was about to get to that part when Mr. Larsen came in.”
“You’re still going to talk to him. You’ll apologize for what you did, for giving him shame that’s dogged him since he found you with the other degenerate. You won’t tell him what you’ve become and burden him with your sin. You’ll say how grateful you are for him aiming you in the right direction. Tell him you’ve turned your life around and become the decent man he raised you to be.” Valter’s voice rose with every command, but it didn’t make him sound powerful. He was squeaking by the time he paused for a breath.
Matt could have unloaded a number of arguments. He could have laid into Valter and accused him of the horrors he’d participated in. He could have cursed him, laughed at him, or spit in his eye.
Instead, he simply said, “I won’t lie to him. Especially not at the end. This is who I am, and he can cry about it in hell.”
He regretted his words as soon as he’d spoken them. He expected Valter to refuse to let him go to Sven, and Matt was committed to doing so.
Valter stared at him with such loathing, Kom came around the couch, ready to stop him from attacking. Matt came close to laughing. Valter shook with fury, but it was impotent. It was the rage of a man who hated being thwarted and was unable to do anything about it. Was this who he’d been afraid of?
Perhaps he had been as overwhelming as Matt remembered, once upon a time, but those years had passed.
“You go to him. If you have a soul left, if you aren’t pure evil, you’ll be sorry and say so. You’ll beg the man who gave you everything for forgiveness.”
He limped out. Matt followed him, Clan Avir and a softly trilling Dr. Yalow on his heels. The Joshadan’s wordless warble was filled with concern.
They went halfway down the hall before Valter stopped in front of a closed door. He snarled as he looked at them. “I have guardianship, and I say the Kalquorian foulness stays out.”
Dr. Yalow said, “He does have the right to refuse Sven visitors. I can’t allow your clan to go in, Dramok Avir.”
Avir glared at Valter. “We promised Matt he wouldn’t do this alone. I’ll keep my promise, no matter what you wish.”
“You’re an obscenity, and I’ll be damned—”
“Enough.” Matt turned to his lovers. “I can do this. I need to.”
Denial was written all over Masok’s features. He gripped Matt’s shoulders. “Mattie, after what happened when you saw this asshole in the club…what if it happens again? You’re doing well, but if it’s too much and we aren’t there, I’d never forgive myself.”
“I doubt Retel would agree to you going in there alone,” Avir added. “He wants you to confront your fears, but safely. If it can’t be done the way he said, then let’s forget it.”
“It isn’t worth your emotional health,” Masok insisted.
“Fuck it. Let’s go home.” Kom’s vote was succinct.
Matt looked at them, ignoring the snarled mutterings coming from Valter. He loved them with every fiber of his being. For them, he had to be whole. There was no other way.
“I’ll look at him from the door,” he said. “If I’m okay, you’ll stay here in the hall, and I’ll go in. The door can stay open.” He glanced at Dr. Yalow, who’d been informed of his breakdown, and she nodded.
“I’ll go in as well,” she offered. “If I detect any sign of trauma starting to overwhelm you, I’ll call your clan to take you out of there.”
“Thank you.” He looked to his clan again. “She won’t need to, though. I’ll be okay.”
“You’re sure?” Masok’s expression said he was on the verge of picking Matt up bodily and carrying him away.
“If you feel the slightest bit overwhelmed, get out of there. Don’t do what you aren’t ready for,” Avir insisted.
